Carver’s Leadership

Novelette Peterkin, Chief Executive Officer

Since assuming the CEO role at Carver in 2004, Novelette Peterkin has embarked on a transformative journey, reshaping Carver's community impact from a vibrant Norwalk community center into a city-wide network of educational and support programs. These programs encompass community, before and after-school initiatives, as well as enriching summer programs, all designed to provide equitable and comprehensive assistance to students in all the Norwalk Public Schools, Side by Side Charter School, and the Carver Community Center, the Classical Studies Magnet Academy in Bridgeport, Stamford High School, and Naugatuck High School, thereby amplifying the organization's reach and impact across diverse communities.

In addition to her role at Carver, Novelette dedicates her time and expertise to the Maritime Aquarium, where she serves on the Board of Directors. She is a graduate of the Harvard Business School's esteemed Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program for CEOs. She holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Mercy College, followed by an MBA from the University of New Haven, solidifying her finance and strategic management foundation. Novelette has received numerous honors for her contributions to the community, including the Women of Distinction Award from the Darien YWCA and the United Way's Elizabeth Roberts Changing the Odds for Children Award. Novelette Peterkin is also an active member of the National Black MBA Association. Before her tenure at Carver, Novelette commenced her professional journey as a private wealth manager in New York City. Before joining Carver, she was the assistant director of residential services at the Andrus Children’s Center in New York.

Brian Allert, Chief Program Officer

Before joining Carver, Brian served in residential services for the Andrus Children's Center in New York. He is experienced in staff supervision, program development, project management, group facilitation, recruitment and budget management. He is skilled in therapeutic crisis intervention and interpersonal communication. He holds a BS in Psychology from City College of New York and a master's degree in Human Resources from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY.

Kelly Elliott, Chief Strategy Officer

Prior to joining The Carver, Kelly served as the Director of Operations and Strategy for SeriousFun Children’s Network. During her 17-year tenure, Kelly played a pivotal role in its expansion, contributing to its growth in nine new locations. In her role, Kelly oversaw the development and implementation of the organization’s multi-year Network-wide strategic plan while also overseeing Network risk management, the SeriousFun Standards program, and day-to-day office operations. Kelly holds a B.A. in Sociology from Wilfrid Laurier University (Ontario, Canada), a post-graduate Diploma in Fundraising and Volunteer Management from Humber College (Ontario, Canada), and a M.A. in Strategic Communications and Public Relations from Sacred Heart University (Fairfield, Connecticut).

Elizabeth Finn, Chief Financial Officer

Before joining Carver, Elizabeth served at Person-to-Person in Darien for 10 years and as Chief Operating Officer for the last 7.5 years. Her volunteer commitments involved serving as the former president of the Junior League of Fairfield County, a Board member of the Fairfield Christmas Tree Festival, and PTA Treasurer of the Fairfield schools her sons attended. Before joining Person to Person, Elizabeth served as Assistant Vice President at Chemical Bank for three years and as Vice President at Signet Bank of Virginia for three years. She earned her MBA and bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing from the University of Richmond.

Clinton Hamilton, Chief Operating Officer

Clinton served as Executive Director for several Connecticut YMCA’s before joining Carver. In those leadership roles, Clinton gained a reputation for building strategic relationships and achieving the highest level of excellence across cross-functional teams and diverse individuals at all levels. Clinton received an MBA from the University of Hartford after earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing at the University of Connecticut where he also played football.

Nikki LaFaye, Director of Philanthropy

Prior to Carver, Nikki served as Director of Foundation Relations and Senior Research Associate at Oxford University’s North American development office in New York. She also held development and programming roles at American Ballet Theatre and a Brooklyn-based performing arts presenter of African Diaspora artists.

Nikki earned her BFA in Performing Arts Management from Emerson College (Boston, MA). She lives in Ridgefield, CT with her husband and two children.

Board of Directors

Officers

Philip Butterfield, President, Social Venture Partners Connecticut; HSBC Bank Of Bermuda, Chairman, Retired

Mark Ortiz, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, Global Student Accommodation

Valerie Watson, Secretary, Vice President & Manager, Patriot Bank N.A.

Jonathan Whitcomb, Esq., Legal Counsel, Diserio Martin O’Connor & Castiglioni LLP

Board Members

Deborah Bowen Brennan, Citigroup, Retired; Past Regional Director, National Executive Service Corps; Volunteer

Diaghilev Lubin-Farnell, Connecticut Assistant Attorney General

Jay Hinton, VP of Business Operations & Analytics, Priceline.com

Inwha Huh, Managing Director, Deutsche Bank

Robert Pennington, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Norwalk Public Schools

Novelette Peterkin, Chief Executive Officer, Carver Foundation of Norwalk

Drew Seath, Founder & Managing Director, Absolute Value LLC

Kenneth Shuler, Senior Mortgage Banker, Total Mortgage Services, LLC; President, FNX Foundation

Brooke Sorensen, Partner, Co-Head of Product, and Head of Private Markets Product for the Client and Product Solutions Group at Apollo Global Management

President Emeritus Charles Burns, Clairol, Retired

Immediate Past President, Diana Napier, The Workplace (ex officio member)